6 fires hit Metro; 3 dead, 5 hurt

Three people, including a two-month-old baby girl, were killed and five others hurt as six fires occurred in various parts of Metro Manila.

Two died and two others suffered burns in a fire that started at a two-story house in Sampaloc, Manila at around 2 a.m. yesterday.

The charred remains of Melanie Mae Bacunga, 18, were discovered among the debris during a mopping-up operation while Danilo de la Cruz, 62, suffered heart failure while helping residents put out the fire, arson chief Inspector Guillermo Fermalino told The STAR.

Ten-year-old Criselda Mae Serrano suffered second-degree burns on the body, while her grandmother, Sonia Bacunga, 55, sustained slight facial burns. Both remain confined at the UST Hospital.

The fire also razed at least 10 houses before it was put out at 3:30 a.m.

Fermalino said they are looking into reports that the fire could have been caused by illegal electrical connections. Damage to property was placed at P200,000.

Meanwhile, two-month-old Shiela Nicole Simplicio died in a fire that started in the house their family was occupying in Sta. Cruz, Manila at 11:50 a.m. yesterday.

Shiela’s parents reportedly left her in the cradle in their rented room at the second floor, and their three-year-old son playing outside the house. Shiela’s mother said the house was already on fire when she returned.

Fire investigators said the fire was put out at 12:32 p.m., but not before gutting 10 shanties and destroying P500,000 worth of property.

Shiela’s body was found at 3:07 p.m. by investigators digging up the debris left by the fire.

Three more were hurt as a two-hour fire hit a slum area in Barangay Baesa, Quezon City at 6:54 a.m. and left 250 families homeless.

Arson investigators said Jose Camalig, 25, suffered burns on his left arm; Monina Besades, 64, had her left foot lacerated by galvanized iron sheets; and Marie de Melo, 29, complained of chest pains from inhaling too much smoke.

Firefighters estimate that P2 million worth of property had been destroyed.

In Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City, 130 families lost their houses when a one-hour fire broke out at a squatters’ colony at 3:25 p.m. in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City, destroying an estimated P10 million worth of properties.

Valenzuela City fire marshal Superintendent Agapito Nacario said the blaze started at a house owned by Nestor Narredo. He said residents claim they saw children playing with matches near Narredo’s house just before the fire.

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and Rep. Rex Gatchalian sent food and relief goods to the victims. They appealed to Valenzuela residents to help the fire victims by coordinating their aid with the city’s social development office.

In another part of Manila, a fire hit a residential and commercial building at the corner of Madrid and San Nicolas streets in Binondo.

The fire started at 3:17 p.m. and put under control at 3:36 p.m.

In Las Piñas City, some P2 million worth of property was destroyed after a fire broke out in Golden Acres subdivision in Barangay Talon Uno at 1:51 p.m. Monday afternoon. 

Fire probers said the blaze started in the house of Manuel Madrigal and may have been cause by electrical overloading. The fire left 100 families homeless before it was put out at 3:25 p.m. – Pete Laude, Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta, Reinir Padua, Rhodina Villanueva